First report of basal rot of yellow dragon fruit () caused by in Peru.

Cultivation of yellow dragon fruit () in Peru has recently expanded (Verona-Ruiz et al. 2020). In August 2021, approximately 170 of 1,110 dragon fruit cuttings (15.

Characterization of the fungal genus Sphaerellopsis associated with rust fungi: species diversity, host-specificity, biogeography, and in-vitro mycoparasitic events of S. macroconidialis on the southern corn rust, Puccinia polysora.

Sphaerellopsis species are putative hyperparasites of rust fungi and may be promising biological control agents (BCA) of rust diseases. However, few detailed studies limit potential BCA development in Sphaerellopsis. Here, we explored the biogeography, host-specificity, and species diversity of Sphaerellopsis and examined the early infection stage of one species, S.

Morphological, phylogenetic, and genomic evidence reveals the causal agent of thread blight disease of cacao in Peru is a new species of in the section , sp. nov.

The thread blight disease (TBD) of cacao ( ) in the department of Amazonas, Peru was recently reported to be caused by (sect. Neosessiles). This same species is known to be the main causal agent of TBD in West Africa.

Diversity and functional assessment of indigenous culturable bacteria inhabiting fine-flavor cacao rhizosphere: Uncovering antagonistic potential against .

The Peruvian Amazonian native cacao faces ongoing challenges that significantly undermine its productivity. Among them, frosty pod rot disease and cadmium accumulation result in losses that need for effective and environmentally safe strategies, such as those based on bacteria. To explore the biological resources in the cacao soil, a descriptive study was conducted to assess the diversity of culturable bacteria across three production districts in the Amazonas region: La Peca, Imaza, and Cajaruro.

The surface of leaves and fruits of Peruvian cacao is home for several Hannaella yeast species, including the new species Hannaella theobromatis sp. nov.

As part of a long-term study aiming to isolate and identify yeast species that inhabit the surface of leaves and fruits of native fine-aroma cacao in the department of Amazonas, Peru, we obtained multiple isolates of Hannaella species. Yeasts of the genus Hannaella are common inhabitants of the phyllosphere of natural and crop plants. On the basis of morphological, and physiological characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), we identified five species of Hannaella from the phyllosphere of Peruvian cacao.

Uromyces savulescui on statice (Limonium sinuatum) in the Americas and reevaluation of its reported geographic range.

Limonium sinuatum (Plumbaginaceae) is the most commonly cultivated recognizable cut flower crop in the genus Limonium. It is known by several common names including statice and sea lavender, due to its lilac-colored flowers and the fact that it naturally inhabits mainly coastal areas (Mellesse et al, 2013). Limonium sinuatum is native to the Mediterranean, although as a popular garden plant, has been naturalized in other parts of the world including coastal areas of California (USDA NRCS 2020).

First report of causing leaf spot and stem rot diseases on in Peru.

Peru is the ninth exporter of coffee () in the world, and Amazonas is among its most important producing departments (INIA 2019). In July 2021, in the nursery of the "Instituto de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Ceja de Selva", in Huambo district (6° 26' 11.19'' S; 77° 31' 24.

First Report of Thread Blight Caused by on Cacao () in Peru.

Peru is the second largest producer of organic cocoa and one of the most important suppliers of fine aroma cocoa beans in the world (Sánchez et al. 2019). The fine aroma cocoa produced by smallholder farmers in the Bagua and Utcubamba Provinces, Amazonas Department, under the name of "Cacao Amazonas Peru", is protected by the Peruvian appellation rules (Díaz-Valderrama et al.

Global Analysis of Populations Shows Clonal Reproduction for the Coffee Leaf Rust Pathogen Throughout Most of Its Range.

is the most important fungal pathogen of coffee and the causal agent of recurrent disease epidemics that have invaded nearly every coffee growing region in the world. The development of coffee varieties resistant to requires fundamental understanding of the biology of the fungus. However, the complete life cycle of remains unknown, and conflicting studies and interpretations exist as to whether the fungus is undergoing sexual reproduction.

First report of Stemphylium leaf spot caused by on alfalfa () in Peru.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is the most cultivated fodder crop in Peru with 172,000 ha cultivated (MINAM 2019), and Arequipa is the top producing region with 40% of the national production in 2015 (Santamaría et al. 2016). In January-April 2019 (av.

Postharvest practices, challenges and opportunities for grain producers in Arequipa, Peru.

Little is known about the major issues leading to postharvest losses in Peru, which are estimated to be 15-27%. We surveyed 503 farmers from the lowlands and Andean regions of Arequipa to learn more about the major grains produced and issues encountered during drying and storage. Rice, common bean, and quinoa were the most grown crops in the lowlands while starchy maize was the most cultivated crop in the highlands.

The History of Cacao and Its Diseases in the Americas.

Cacao is a commodity crop from the tropics cultivated by about 6 million smallholder farmers. The tree, , originated in the Upper Amazon where it was domesticated ca. 5450 to 5300 B.

Wallemia peruviensis sp. nov., a new xerophilic fungus from an agricultural setting in South America.

We obtained four isolates of the xerophilic genus Wallemia from the rooftop of a house made of red brick and cement in an agronomic field planted with common beans and maize in Pachacamac, Lima, Peru. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis with rDNA gene sequences showed these Wallemia isolates form a distinct and strongly supported clade closely related to W. hederae.